West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-07-22
SALT LAKE BATH. DOWN A
SILVER MINE.
SUMS correspondence CONDENSED

SUMS correspondence SoHuchScu'
Salt lake is 100 miles long by 60
wide and its average depth is 40 feet.
A ride of 15 miles, at a round trip
price of so cents, brings one from
the city of the Saints to the bathing
shore. Along the shore are really
elegant bathing-houses, fitted up
with appliances for electric lightn-
ing, shower-bath of fresh water, DC.
For % cents a comfortable suit is
had. All of our party tried the vir-
tues of these bitterly salt waters.
No little amusement was afforded us
and other spectators by the head Of
the eldest member of our party try
ing to change places with his heels.
This grew out of the exceeding buoy
rncy of the waters. One may lie
upon his back, thrust legs and arms
out Of the water, and float like cork
at the will of the waves. The den
sity of the waters makes progress in
swimming difficult. The bath is very
pleasant and invigorating.
At, Ogden we boarded the Central
Pacific Railway train, bound for the
California coast. In this train were
three or four emigrant cars.
1t was q matter of no small inter
est to pass through these cars and
interview the travellers. Some were
Indians, some Turks, some Ger
mans, some Americans, and doubt
less others were of other nationali-
ties. AS various were the degrees
of health, cleanliness and comfort.
One of the cars, in charge of a spe
cial agent of the Pacific companies,
was fitted up with such conyenien-
ces for day and night travel as to
make it inviting. In consequence it
was occupied by very nice-looking
lot of people who were either seek
ing homes in California or return
ing from visits to their friends in
the East.
A desire to see silver mine led
US to stop st Reno, a town of 1000
people, in Nevada. The town was
so crowded by gathering of the
Masonic fraternity that were forced
to seek quarters in q little hotel,
whose name, "The Palace" belied
its character. It's office, parlor, bar
room and smoking room were one.
Forced into such quarters, we had
associations by no means pleasant.
To our amazement-we found that the
State of Nevada licenses gambling
saloons. The barkeeper showed us
the document which declares that
"Al White, having paid $40, is per-
mitted to keep faro table for one
month from date" DC. In addition
another monthly license is granted
for q similar sum for game known
as horse poker. These games we
saw in full blast. The same thing
exists in other Nevada cities and
notably in Virginia City, which we
visited the next day.
Here Mackey, the bonanza king,
made arrangement fors sour descent
into the mine where the Bonanza
Comstock lode was worked. 1t is
said that the owners took out SIG
100000. At one o'clock we were
shown into comfortable rooms where
were provided woolen suits for each
of the party. We laid aside our own
garments entirely and from head to
foot donned those provided for US.
Entering the cages or lifts by which
two loads of ore had just been
brought from the depths, and pro
vided with Il lantern apiece, we were
speedily lowered 1,750 feet below the
surface. A walk of half mile or
less along the tunnels brought US to
the miners at work. Up half dozen
ladders, and we were at point
where the heat was almost unendu-
rable, being perhaps from ITO to 120
degrees. AS the miner drove his
pick into the ore and gave us piece
it was so warm as to be uncomforta
bic to the hand. At certain places
in the mine there is provision made
with ice-water and air forced in,
where the miners retreat from the
intense natural heat of these great
depths, and are thus enabled to con-
tinue their work. To drain these
mines Sutro drove his tunnel. Our
curiosity gratified, we were glad
again to take our places in the cages,
and in 4 few minutes to ascend the
third of mile, down which we had
come, and find ourselves again where
the sun shines and the winds blow.
Baths, hot and cold, were provided
for US.
THE GOVERNMENT To KEEP